The use of AI in the creative process of video game development remains a subject of debate. Several companies have already adopted these tools, while others remain resistant. However, the case of NetEase Games is quite unique.
In an interview with Eurogamer for the release of his upcoming game ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN on February 11, 2026, Goichi Suda (Suda 51) was asked about generative artificial intelligence. He stated that he had not used this technology.
“Personally, I see a lot of AI-related things popping up on social media. Given the current level of development, there’s something weird about the images and videos we see there. Most people feel the same way; something psychological tells us that something is wrong. There’s something fishy about it.
They say that the day will come when AI will fool people, when we won’t even realize it’s AI. That may be true, but honestly, I don’t think we’re there yet. When I see something created with generative AI, it disturbs me.”
He also added that his publisher NetEase had set up a department dedicated to generative AI research and development before eventually closing it down. Suda 51 said he was unaware of the reasons behind the closure.
“As for the absence of AI in our games, it was originally a policy of NetEase for all their subsidiaries. They initially had a section dedicated to the research and development of AI-related technologies, but they decided to end it. They dissolved that section and asked their studios not to use AI in their games, not to use it at all.
I don’t know, they never explained it to me directly. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s probably due to one of two things. A lot of gamers don’t like AI and its presence in their games. There are also copyright issues. It can be difficult to manage, and you have to make sure you’ve got that sorted before you create anything. That was probably a factor too; it would have been easier to just remove that section entirely. But again, these are just guesses. No one has told me directly.”
